Facebook and Instagram stories get a 'musical' twist

Facebook has announced the launch of music stickers on both Instagram and Facebook stories. This gives users the ability to share their music with their followers using stories as a primary medium. Selecting the 'music' option on Instagram or Facebook stories allows users to add a section of a song to a photograph or a video story, with a small sticker for song attribution.

At the press briefing, the company also shared details about other creative tools such as Lyrics on Instagram and Lip Sync Live, and the ability to add songs to their Facebook Profiles. With the roll-out of these music products, people across India can add the latest tracks such as Bekhayali - Kabir Singh, Ve Maahi - Kesari, to songs like Dil Diyan Gallan from Tiger Zinda Hai, and regional hits like Lahore by Guru Randhawa, Zingaat from Sairat as well as old classics like Bas Ek Sanam Chaahiye from Aashiqui, to their Facebook and Instagram Stories.

Speaking about music on Facebook and Instagram, Manish Chopra, Director and Head of Partnerships, Facebook India, said, “Music is important to us at Facebook. We want to make it possible for the Facebook and Instagram communities to express themselves and connect around music on our platforms. We've partnered with the Indian music community to enable these new products, and we look forward to seeing all the ways people in India use them to express themselves in fun and engaging way”.

Earlier this year, Facebook India announced partnerships with top music labels T-Series Music, Zee Music Company and Yash Raj Films, licensing their music for use in social experiences on Facebook and Instagram.

Product details:

1. Music on Facebook and Instagram Stories

Starting today, people will be able to add a song to their photos and videos on their stories. After choosing a song, a user will be able to select which part of it to highlight on your story, and add the artist's name and track title. People will be able search for music by actors and actresses names, in addition to searching by film name, singer name as well as a song name. People can also search for songs by language.

2. Lyrics on Instagram: Additionally, if the song has lyrics available, they will automatically pop up. Tap through the icons to change the animation and text style, and move the lyrics around, rotate or resize it like you would a normal sticker.

3. Lip Sync Live on Facebook

This feature will allow users to perform and dub songs live on Facebook. Friends can check your performance in real time and follow the lyrics of the songs while you have fun together. To create one, just select the "Lip Sync Live" option when starting a Live on Facebook - choose a song, add a description and customise the video with filters or a background. During broadcasts, friends will be able see the name of the artist and song featured on the video and be able to directly tap to follow the singer or band on Facebook.

4. Music on Facebook Profile

Using this feature, users can add tracks to a new music section on their Facebook profile. In addition, the user can also pin songs at the top of their profile, in the same way that a user has an option to pin a tweet on to their Twitter profile. Songs fixed to a profile will visually show the artist and the track (including the album art). When the user's friends play a song on a profile, they will be able to hear a small clip or can listen to the complete track through streaming platforms.

Today music products on Facebook and Instagram are available in 55+ countries and we’re continuing to partner with the music community around the world to bring music into the ways people share and express themselves across our platforms.